Dingle Races offers young jockeys a stepping stone to career success

YOUNG jockeys competing in next weekend’s Dingle Races will have an opportunity to put their racing careers on a more solid footing, thanks to a Race Committee initiative that draws on the top expertise in the sport in Ireland and Britain.

Horse and pony racing, in which Dingle Races is the premier event in Ireland, is a training ground for young jockeys, and the best can progress to professional careers. However, there is no clear career path, training is sporadic and many promising jockeys are lost to the sport.

In an effort to give young jockeys a better chance of success, Dingle Race Committee invited representatives of the Curragh-based Racing Academy & Centre of Education (RACE) to come to last year’s Dingle Races and advise young riders. The RACE representatives were impressed by what they saw, and this year they are returning with a greatly expanded presence to provide training and career advice to jockeys.

“The racing industry is realising that this is where jockeys are coming from,” said Dingle Race Committee Chairman Colm Sayers. “As it stands there is no clear career path for jockeys, and RACE are coming to Dingle to spot young talent and encourage them to take up formal training that will help them advance in the sport.”

Colm added that Dingle Races has also established a link with Newmarket racecourse, which will see the champion jockey at Dingle next weekend offered a week-long, all expenses paid internship at the famed British track.

Thomas O’Callaghan – race commentator and Marian Park neighbour of Colm’s father, Joe Sayers – sees the jockey training initiative as a hugely positive step for horse and pony racing nationwide, and he is delighted to see Dingle leading the way.

“Three young jockeys who rode winners in Dingle last year – Ben Cohen, Andrew Slattery and Shane Cross – have gone on to ‘the track’ this year. Before that you had the likes of David Egan, who was the apprentice champion jockey in England last year; Rachel Blackmore, who has the leading National Hunt title; and, of course, local lad Jack Kennedy, who is on course to becoming one of the all-time greats,” said Thomas. “Having a win in Dingle was gold-dust on their CVs, and it’s brilliant to see Dingle Races taking a lead in promoting more young jockeys and helping them to progress in their careers.”

Thomas was also mindful of the support the race committee receives locally, with everyone from vets to doctors, the gardaí, racetrack owner Donal Moran, the farmers who provide stabling for horses, and the businesses who provide sponsorship all playing a hugely appreciated part in keeping the races alive and thriving.

Thomas will perform his inimitable role as race commentator from a new and more stable ‘crows nest’ this year and, as ever, he will have an endless stream of people soliciting his wisdom before they approach the bookies. Thomas is dubious about the value of ‘tips’ but, for what it’s worth, he reckons Bubblicious would be hard to beat in the 14-hand pony race, Keeper Hill is one to watch, and the Dingle Derby looks like a ‘wide open affair’, although former winner Mr Bowen is back in form and could be a strong contender.

“There’ll be a few dark horses as well,” he added. “Sure it wouldn’t be Dingle races without them.”

Daniel McCarthy and Colm Sayers of Dingle Race Committee with John O’Sullivan of Dingle Derby sponsors Lee Strand announcing this year’s Dingle Races at Ballintaggart.